Kalibano
Build Designer & Fun Lover!
Welcome to my build repository! I've been playing since 2006, and I play to have fun: I don't really care about 'the META'. I have 23 alts, so I actively play practically every class and race available in the game. I design all my builds fully from scratch. Hope you find them useful, and constructive comments/ suggestions are always welcome!
9. Kali's Bard Spellsinger Inquisitive ranged/ CC+ Insta-kill caster hybrid build
DDOBuilder file for this build. You can find and download Maetrim's DDOBuilder here.
Preface to the build
This thread aims to provide the very 'core' of the build:
DISCLAIMER: nobody in real life has been injured on the making of this thread, and nobody will suffer injuries in real life if they try it. DDO is an awesome game, and trying-and-testing + making changes to suit your specific play style are a very healthy aspect of the game. It's how you learn and get better! Try not to stress too much about what some people have to say about how you play your game. Not everyone gets that this is a game, that people are not the same, and don't want the same things! The Mountain has many paths. Have fun!
Aims of the build
Primary aim(s):
1. Ranged DPS:
3. and with occasional AoE Insta-kills:
4. De-buffs (mostly WILL saves, which synergises with Illusion: 'Weird' and 'Greater Color spray', but also Enchant: 'Mass Hold', 'Otto's'):
Key abilities toolbar (main rotation):
A. Charisma for ranged combat:
C. Doubleshot = 54% [While fighting in Dual Crossbow style, you only benefit from 1/2 of this Doubleshot total]
Doubleshot Breakdown:
F. 11 Sneak Attack die
SA die breakdown:
G. Fortification bypass = 58%
H. Extra damage:
One of the key reasons for going Shadowdancer was to make use of all this free Illusion support being there.
K. Main Spell Powers:
L. Survivability (after all, soul stones do zero dps):
I share some strategies for general defensiveness and survival in this thread. Come visit if you feel it could be useful to you!
The 'core elements' of the build
Class(es): Bard (20)
Race: Tiefling Scoudrel
Alignment: Chaotic Good (Non-Lawful because Bard restriction)
Main stat: Charisma (level ups here)
Starting stats (36 pts): STR: 08/ DEX: 16*/ CON: 16/ INT: 08/ WIS: 08/ CHA: 20
Weapon type(s): Heavy & Light Crossbows
Feats:
Heroic enhancements: 83 = 80 + 2 (Racial tomes) + 1 (Universal tome)
N.B: Multi-selector choices:
N.B: ED multi-selector choices:
Suggestions for gear
(not part of the core build: choices based on what supports the main aims of the build best, with the intention to suggest/ inspire)
Gear Set bonuses:
Gear:
(PS: Some choices ref gear cater to a much larger personal scheme/tetris where items need to get shared between several alts at endgame, where I normally play in reaper mode 6-10 skulls).
Most important augments to slot:
Main Filigree Set bonuses:
Filigrees: 14 = 10 (weapon) + 4 (artefact)
Filigree master plan:
I am always happy to read, consider and respond to constructive comments/ suggestions / feedback that are provided in a polite and friendly manner. I welcome discussions with anyone who is capable (and willing) to do this. Some discussions may lead to both parties simply agreeing to disagreeing - that's absolutely fine, everyone is entitled to their opinion after all!
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| If you would like to contribute towards this effort, any donations will be greatly appreciated. If not, please don't worry: sharing is caring! Just sit back and relax, and enjoy the builds! |
9. Kali's Bard Spellsinger Inquisitive ranged/ CC+ Insta-kill caster hybrid build
DDOBuilder file for this build. You can find and download Maetrim's DDOBuilder here.
Preface to the build
This thread aims to provide the very 'core' of the build:
- show how it started: its key aims
- indicate the key decisions that can be made to achieve those aims: stats, skills, feats, heroic enhancements, epic destinies
- all numbers are based on what a first-lifer (or someone with minimal past lives) would have, unbuffed, outside of reaper mode (they do, however, include equipped gear and partially completed filigrees). They are real characters, and those are the numbers I can offer.
- numbers are indicative of the potential minimum amounts that can be achieved with the investments that were proposed
- provide a 'photo' of what your character could look like at endgame during quite a few lives of their 'TR hamster wheel' journey
- show the 'foundations' to be built upon, if a player decides to embark on the 'TR hamster wheel' and go out there to hunt for rare bonuses
- gear choices are NOT part of the core build, but rather one of the most important ways to invest in the key elements of the core build to make the aims work. It has been added here simply to suggest options/ inspire. No promises are being made towards keeping this updated upon the release of new content.
DISCLAIMER: nobody in real life has been injured on the making of this thread, and nobody will suffer injuries in real life if they try it. DDO is an awesome game, and trying-and-testing + making changes to suit your specific play style are a very healthy aspect of the game. It's how you learn and get better! Try not to stress too much about what some people have to say about how you play your game. Not everyone gets that this is a game, that people are not the same, and don't want the same things! The Mountain has many paths. Have fun!
Aims of the build
Primary aim(s):
1. Ranged DPS:
> AoE
> 'Improved Precise Shot' (feat)
> Shiradi's 'Pin [T1]'
> {+30% dmg}
> Single-target (e.g. bosses)
> Shiradi's 'Hunt's End [T3]'
> {+250% dmg +20 crit range}
> 'Archer's Focus' (feat)
2. interweaved with Crowd Control:> AoE spells/abilities:
> Spellsinger
Enchantment
> 'Mass Hold Monster [T5]'
> Feydark Illusionist
Illusion
> 'Greater Color Spray [C3]'
> Bard spells:
Enchantment
> 'Otto's Sphere of Dancing'
> 'Mass Charm Monster'
> 'Suggestion'
Illusion
> 'Color Spray'
Evocation
> 'Greater Shout'
Perform skill
> 'Fascinate' (auto-granted class feat)
> Single-target spells:
> Bard
NO Save
> 'Otto's Irresistible Dance'
Enchantment
> 'Hold Monster'
> Ranged (AoE):
> Shiradi
> 'Pin [T2]' (Slow for 12s, vs moving enemies, on hit, no save)
> ... improved by 'Otto's Whistler [T3]'
(Immobilise for 6s, vs non-moving enemies, on hit, no save)
(Dance for 6s, vs moving enemies, on hit, no save)
> 'Prism: Stay Loud [T2]' (Deafness, 25% chance, both ranged & spell casting)
> Shadowdancer
> 'Paranoia [T3]' via sneaking + activating 'From the Shadows [T4]' (Blindness, no save, on vorpals)
3. and with occasional AoE Insta-kills:
> mainly Shadowdancer's 'Weird [T5]'
> Spellsinger's 'Wail of the Banshee [C6]': mostly for the de-buffs with negative levels on failed save, as no significant investment in necromancy
Secondary aim(s):4. De-buffs (mostly WILL saves, which synergises with Illusion: 'Weird' and 'Greater Color spray', but also Enchant: 'Mass Hold', 'Otto's'):
> Bard spells:
Enchantment
> 'Crushing Despair' {-2 attack, saves, skill checks and weapon dmg. Also applies Weaken Will (-5 to Will Saves for 15s)}
> 'Hypnotism' {confers -3 Will Saves for 15s even on successful save}
> 'Mind Fog' {while in the fog, -10 Will Saves even on successful save}
> Feydark Illusionist
> 'Twist Reality [T1]' {Offensive Illusion spells: -1 Will Saves for 10s, stacks 3 times}
> Shadowdancer
> 'Bring Darkness [T4]' {Darkness for 12s on rolls of natural 20 (applies sneak attack vulnerability / -3 PRR, MRR and Spell Penetration per stack, max 3 stacks)}
5. Moderate offensive casting (mostly Sonic + some Force):> AoE:
> Bard [Sonic]:
Evocation
> 'Horn of Thunder'
> Greater Shout'
> SLA: 'Shout'
> Machrotecnic [Sonic]:
No Save
> 'Tonquin's Thunder Hammer [T2]'
> Shadowdancer [Force]:
Illusion
> 'Weird' (Force dmg per caster level on failed saves vs the insta-kill effect)
> Single-target:
> Spellsinger [Sonic]:
NO Save
> 'Reverberation [T2]'
> Tiefling Scoundrel
NO Save vs dmg
> 'Fiendish Arpeggio' (auto-granted racial feat)
> Feydark Illusionist [Force]:
Illusion
> 'Shadowblade [T2]' (mostly to proc de-buff via 'Twist Reality [T1])
6. Strong Party buffs via enhanced 'Bardic Inspiration' song:
> Spellsinger
> 'Spell Song trance [T3]' {+1 morale spell DC's & 10% morale discount on spell point costs}
> 'Song of Arcane Might [T4]' {+1 morale bonus to caster level for all spells}
> 'Frolic [T4]' {target gains Freedom of Movement for the duration of your song}
> 'Arcane Aid [T4]' {+3 Music Bonus to Spell Penetration}
> 'Spell Song Vigor [T5]' {restores spell points over time for the duration of your song (2 spell points every 2s)}
> Epic feat
> 'Inspiration Melody: Excellence' {+2 competence bonus to all stats}
7. Moderate support healing:
> Spellsinger
> 'Sustaining Song [T4]' {applies a temp fast-healing effect for duration of song; heals for 2d3 every 2s}
> 'Heal [C6]' (spell)
> Bard
> 'Soothing Song' (auto-granted class feat @ lvl 8)
> 'Mass Cure Moderate & Light Wounds' (spells)
Key stats & synergiesKey abilities toolbar (main rotation):
A. Charisma for ranged combat:
> To-hit via Feydark Illusionist's 'Familiar Flourish I [T1]'
> To damage via Feydark Illusionist's 'Familiar Flourish II [T2]'
> High Diplomacy skill:
> Agro management:
> 'Ask Questions First [T3]': +20 Diplomacy; -10% cooldown social skills for 60s
> Inquisitive's 'Hit the Streets [C2]': grants an extra copy of Diplomacy
> Inquisitive buffs upon using Diplomacy:
> +2 PRR, MRR, AC, 5% Fort bypass per stack (for 20s, stacks 5 times)
> 'Observation [T2]' + 'Improved Observation [T3]'
> +2 Dodge (ignores cap) per stack (for 12s, stacks 5 times):
> 'Preparation [T3]' while 'Ask Questions First [T3]' is active
B. Attack speed = 36%:
Feats
> +20%: 'Rapid Shot'
Enhancement bonus
> +15%: Haste (spell)
Unknown source
> +1%: ???
> Dual crossbow reload speed = +40% (stacks with Rapid Shot)
Feats
> 'Rapid Reload'
C. Doubleshot = 54% [While fighting in Dual Crossbow style, you only benefit from 1/2 of this Doubleshot total]
Doubleshot Breakdown:
Feats
> +10%: 'Doubleshot' (Epic Destiny feat)
> +2%: 'Harbinger of Chaos' (Epic Destiny feat)
Heroic
> +5%: Inquisitive's 'Martial Inquisition [T4]'
Epic Destinies
> +5%: Shadowdancer's 'Shadowstriker [T3]'
Gear bonuses (inc Set bonuses)
> +15% artifact bonus (set bonus)
> +8% enhancement bonus
> +4% insightful bonus
Airship Buffs
> +2%: 'Archery Range'
Unknown source
> +3%: ???
> buffable to 84% in reaper mode
[Dread Adversary's 'Reaper Strike [T1]']
D. Weapon Critical profile = 16-20/ x3:→ Critical threat range
Base
> 19-20: Heavy Crossbows
Feats
> +2 feat bonus: 'Improved Critical: Ranged' (feat)
Heroic enhancements/spells
> +1 competence bonus: Inquisitive's 'True Seeing [C4]'
= 16-20
→ Critical damage multiplier
Base
> x2: Heavy Crossbows
Heroic enhancements/spells
> +1 competence bonus: Inquisitive's 'True Seeing [C4]'
= x3
→ Average additional base damage = +50%:
Critical threat range 16-20 = 5
Critical damage multiplier x3 (-1 to remove base) = 2
> 5 x 2 = 10
> Each point = 5% more average base damage
> 10 x 5% = 50%
> Crit damage multiplier boost = +1 (16-20/x4):
Epic Destinies
> +1 on 19-20 rolls: Shadowdancer's 'Just a Taste [T5]'
16-20/x4 = 5 x 3 = 15
15 x 5% = +75% more average base damage
E. 11 imbue die: Sonic dmg (scales Spell Power)> Tiefling Scoundrel's toggle 'Bloodsong I [C1]'
Imbue die breakdown:
+5 die Feats
+2 Harbinger of Chaos
+3 Scion of Feywild (@lvl 30)
+3 die Heroic enhancements
+3 Inquisitive (Core 4 + T2 & 4)
+1 dice Augment
+1 Emerald of Arcane Empowerment
+2 die Filigrees
+2 Reverberation (set bonus: 2 pieces)
= total 11 die, sustainable 100% of the time
F. 11 Sneak Attack die
SA die breakdown:
+7 die Epic Destinies
+7 Shadowdancer (C1-4 + T2)
+3 dice Set bonuses
+3 Legendary Wallwatch (3 pieces)
+1 dice ???
+1 ???
= total 11 die, sustainable 100% of the time
G. Fortification bypass = 58%
Epic Destinies
> +15 Shadowdancer's 'Grim Precision [T3]'
> +03 Shadowdancer's 'Cut to Soul [C4]'
> +05 Shiradi's 'Viision [C2]'
Gear bonuses (inc Set bonuses)
> +30 Wallwatch set bonus
Airship buffs
> +05 'Trap Workshop'
H. Extra damage:
> Extra Weapon dmg = +1.25{W]:
Feats
> +1[W]: 'Point Blank Shot'
Airship Buffs
> +0.25[W]: 'Ninja Assassin'
> Rune arms:
> Imbue damage on each ranged attack (scales 200% Ranged Power)
> Magical Blast damage, max tier 5 (scales respective Spell Power)
> +15% faster charge speed for Rune Arm magical blast: Machrotectnic's 'Tinker Tailoring [T1]'
> Shiradi (chance to proc on weapon damage)
> 'Prism mantle [T1]'
> 'Prism: Stay Loud [T2]'
> 'Prism: Double Rainbow [T3]'
> AoE light damage (Celestial Explosion)
> 'The Everstar' returning bolts [conjured from The Hallowed Splinters Heavy Crossbow]
> Extra Ranged Power:
> 'Arcane Warrior' (feat)
I. Burst damage:
> from 2 epic strikes at the same time:
1. Shiradi
> 'Hunt's End [T1+3]' (v nice dmg when followed straight by Inquisitive's 'Shoot Later [T4]')
2. Shadowdancer
> 'Paranoia [T2]' (via sneaking + activating 'From the Shadows [T4]')
> Shadowdancer's 'Shadow Mastery [T5]'
J. Main Spell DCs:> Illusion (107+)
> Enchantment (105+)
> Evocation (95+)
> Necro (84)
N.B. Strong support for Illusion DCs mostly already there, while investing in Enchantment:
> Spellsinger [C2-5] + [T2]
> Shadowdancer [T3]
> Scion of the Feywild
> Magewright's Spectacles, and set bonus
One of the key reasons for going Shadowdancer was to make use of all this free Illusion support being there.
K. Main Spell Powers:
> Extra Spell Power:
> 'Arcane Warrior' (feat)
> Extra damage on offensive spellcasting:
> Shiradi's 'Prism mantle [T1]' + 'Prism: Stay Loud [T2]' + 'Prism: Double Rainbow [T3]'
L. Survivability (after all, soul stones do zero dps):
> Max DEX bonus to armor: = 28 / Dodge cap = 27%
> Dodge = 21%
> buffable to 31%
> Inquisitive's 'Preparation [T3]' (+2 per stack, max 5 stacks, ignores Dodge cap)
> Concealment = 50%:
> 'Displacement' (spell)
> Evasion:
> Shadowdancer's 'The Darkest Luck [C3]': invest, via gear/augments, in some DEX to enhance reflexes
> Hit Points bonus = +10%:
Legendary bonus
> +10%: Winter set (4 pieces)
The 'core elements' of the build
Class(es): Bard (20)
Race: Tiefling Scoudrel
Alignment: Chaotic Good (Non-Lawful because Bard restriction)
Main stat: Charisma (level ups here)
Starting stats (36 pts): STR: 08/ DEX: 16*/ CON: 16/ INT: 08/ WIS: 08/ CHA: 20
* +3 DEX tome req for Improve Precise Shot feat
Skills: Perform/ Heal / Use Magic Device/ Diplomacy / Spellcraft/ Tumble (1 point)/Weapon type(s): Heavy & Light Crossbows
Feats:
Heroic enhancements: 83 = 80 + 2 (Racial tomes) + 1 (Universal tome)
N.B: Multi-selector choices:
> Inquisitive
> T3: 'Ask Questions First'
> T4: 'Shoot Later'
Epic Destinies: 65 = 61 + 1 (Tome of Fate +3) + 2 (Fey & Dread tomes) + 1 (Historic tome)
N.B: ED multi-selector choices:
> Shadowdancer
> T2: 'Nightmare Lance'
> T3: 'Shadowstriker'
> T3: 'Illusion DCs'
> T3: 'Paranoia'
> T5: 'Weird'
> Shiradi Champion
> T1: 'Pin'
> T2: 'Stay Loud'
> T2: 'Phase Double'
> T3: 'Otto's Whistler'
> T3: Enchantment DCs
> Machrotecnic
> T2: Tonquin's Thunder Hammer
Spells:
Suggestions for gear
(not part of the core build: choices based on what supports the main aims of the build best, with the intention to suggest/ inspire)
Gear Set bonuses:
Gear:
(PS: Some choices ref gear cater to a much larger personal scheme/tetris where items need to get shared between several alts at endgame, where I normally play in reaper mode 6-10 skulls).
Most important augments to slot:
+10 Damage / +10 Ranged Power
+1 Imbue dice
+1 exceptional All Ability scores
+12 enhanc Dexterity (Reflex for evasion) & Constitution
+5 insight Charisma & Constitution
+2 festive Charisma & Constitution
+6 equip Evocation DCs
+2 enhanc Illusion + Enchantment + Evocation DCs
+19 Perform skill
+5% insight All Spell Crit chance
+10 resistance All Saves
+2 Max DEX bonus to armor
+32 enhanc Sheltering
Quickdraw
Fearater / Deconstructor
(Suggestions for where to slot them in the DDOBuilder file for this build).
+1 Imbue dice
+1 exceptional All Ability scores
+12 enhanc Dexterity (Reflex for evasion) & Constitution
+5 insight Charisma & Constitution
+2 festive Charisma & Constitution
+6 equip Evocation DCs
+2 enhanc Illusion + Enchantment + Evocation DCs
+19 Perform skill
+5% insight All Spell Crit chance
+10 resistance All Saves
+2 Max DEX bonus to armor
+32 enhanc Sheltering
Quickdraw
Fearater / Deconstructor
(Suggestions for where to slot them in the DDOBuilder file for this build).
Main Filigree Set bonuses:
Filigrees: 14 = 10 (weapon) + 4 (artefact)
Filigree master plan:
- Primarily invest in Spell DC and Charisma.
- Spell Power and Imbue Dice are secondary aims, if/when possible to squeeze in
- other effects get the least priority
I am always happy to read, consider and respond to constructive comments/ suggestions / feedback that are provided in a polite and friendly manner. I welcome discussions with anyone who is capable (and willing) to do this. Some discussions may lead to both parties simply agreeing to disagreeing - that's absolutely fine, everyone is entitled to their opinion after all!
.
Last edited:
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